Teenager dies in Havelock North car crash

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The Havelock North teenager who died when his car hit a power pole can now be named.

James Mackie, 19, died after a crash in the early hours of yesterday morning.

Sergeant Kevin Stewart, of Hawke's Bay police, said the young man planned to spend the night in Napier but for some reason instead decided to drive home along Te Mata Mangateretere Road, Havelock North, about 4am.

"As he approached a notorious little s-bend, he has tried to negotiate it at some speed, high speed we think for the conditions. He lost control, hit a culvert, the car became airborne and then he hit the power pole."

It was too early to tell whether alcohol was also a factor in the crash, Stewart said.

The teenager was found deceased in his car by emergency services about 4.20am.

The crash brought down powerlines and closed the road for a time.

Police had notified his immediate family but his name would not be released until close relatives overseas had been told of his death.

In May last year, a car full of young people crashed on the same road, leaving a 21-year-old woman in a critical condition.

The road's speed limit was dropped from 100kmh to 80kmh in March in an effort to reduce crashes.